Somalia’s federal parliament reviewed a draft law on Monday aimed at regulating pharmaceuticals, which was a key step in efforts to curb counterfeit drugs and improve healthcare oversight.
The Medicine Regulation Bill, introduced by the Ministry of Health, seeks to establish guidelines for importing, distributing, and quality control medicines. If passed, it would give authorities greater oversight to enforce stricter standards in a largely unregulated market.
Speaker of the House Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur (Madoobe) and Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow presided over the session, during which lawmakers conducted the bill’s first reading. Per parliamentary procedure, no debate was held at this stage. The legislation will require two additional readings before a final vote.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Haji Aden, outlined the bill’s provisions to lawmakers, emphasizing its importance to public health. He urged parliament to give the draft law thorough consideration, noting that its passage would be crucial for controlling medicine quality and preventing harm caused by substandard pharmaceuticals.
Experts warn that the widespread availability of unregulated medicines has contributed to medical complications, treatment failures, and increased antibiotic resistance in Somalia. If approved, the law would introduce strict licensing requirements for pharmaceutical imports, mandatory quality testing, and penalties for non-compliance.
Following standard legislative procedure, the bill has been referred to the relevant parliamentary committee, which will review its details and prepare it for a second reading, where lawmakers will be able to debate its provisions.
Somalia has long struggled with pharmaceutical regulation, with much of the market lacking proper oversight. The absence of a centralized drug authority has allowed counterfeit, expired, and substandard medicines to circulate freely, posing significant health risks.
In recent years, the government has made efforts to strengthen healthcare regulations, including setting up preliminary oversight bodies and working with international health organizations. However, weak enforcement has left gaps in the system.
